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Hi Fredericka,
We are doing great with Athena, in these pictures she is 14 weeks and 40
lbs (daughter of Taffy and Ralph). She is now 17 weeks and 46 lbs. She
is a gem. You can see in the pics I sent how much she loves the baby!
She sits very still for him and lets him hug her (and yes, they
sometimes sleep together on the playroom floor! - that pic is a candid
photo, I did NOT plan it, and it came out SO adorable!) She is so loyal,
I cannot believe it sometimes, she worries about the kids like she is
their mother. Friends come to visit and they tell me they can't believe
she is still a puppy, she behaves so well.
She makes very little noise, so I bought some
bells (yes, jingle bells) and put them on every door that she goes out.
Now, my wonderfully intelligent dog learned in about 2 HOURS that
ringing that bell would get her through the door. The next morning she
learned in an INSTANT that ringing the bell would wake me up AND get me
out of the bed!!! And don't worry, this week she figured out how to
bark! But still uses the bells anyway!
We love her so much, if the baby or my older son cries, she goes
running to check on them. She doesn't like me giving the baby a bath
because it makes him cry; she will pace in the bathroom and try to get
in the tub to be with him!
My husband was deployed to Afghanistan recently and she got a
little upset. She would roam the house and sniff at his shoes in the
closet and then sniff all over the house. I could tell she wanted to
find him. She has become more protective of the boys since then (I
didn't think it was possible) and when I get home, she runs past me and
goes straight to the car and "counts" them! LOL. She will run to Joseph
and sniff and lick him for a minute, then go to the baby and sniff and
lick him, then everything is ok, she runs back inside just happy as a
clam (watching every moment to make sure they are coming in behind her).
One day, I didn't realize the baby had gone outside without me, out the
front, where the street is. The door had been left open on accident and
he went out by himself. I saw her run outside and since she is not
allowed out front either (to avoid running in the street), I immediately
went after her. I found her sitting by the corner of the house, just
sitting there. I had no idea what she was doing, so I called her and
told her she needed to come in. Usually she responds very quickly, the
first time, almost every time. She sat and blatantly ignored me. I
called her again. Nothing. I was getting upset because I was afraid if
she ran, she would go in the street. She had never disobeyed me before
(or been out front without a leash). I walked over to her to get her by
the collar and bring her in and as I got near her I could see around the
corner of the house, and there was the baby! I had no idea he was out
there!! I was so shocked, I told her she was a good girl and petted her
and picked up the baby. As I walked in the house with him, she was right
on my heels, I didn't have to call her again! I don't want to imagine
what could've happened to him had she come in when I called her.
She is such a sweet dog, so full of life and energy (for about an
hour a day!) The rest of the time, she loves to lie on the floor and let
the boys hug and kiss her and rub her tummy. I'm sorry this note is so
long, I just had to let you know how happy she is and how much she loves
the boys and how much we all love her. She is so much a part of our
lives that I just can't imagine how we did without her before.
Did I mention my vet may be asking for one soon? She grew up with
English mastiffs and when she met Athena, She was amazed at how
dry Athena's mouth is! No drool on my furniture and walls!! Thank you so
much for this wonderful dog! God Bless,
Connie and boys |
Farms
